PUNXSUTAWNEY — Whenever one team appeared to put a stronghold on Friday night's girls' basketball game, the other squad was ready to make a run.

After a 9-0 run put Punxsy ahead 21-13 during the second quarter, Bradford's 21-2 surge during the next 10 minutes helped the Lady Owls leap ahead 34-23.

What followed was the Lady Chucks' game-ending 25-9 burst during a 48-43 victory.

Not only was the win Punxsy's first in the District IX League this season, but it helped the Lady Chucks improve to 2-1 against District IX Class AAA foes after they beat Clearfield Dec. 20, 2010, and lost to St. Marys Monday.

Clearfield isn't playing in the District IX League this season, but if it enters the postseason, it is expected to be one of four AAA teams in the district.

"You can see the improvement that this team is making, and that's by the hard work they're doing in practice," Punxsy head coach Randy Reitz said. "We have to keep improving and keep working hard."

Shawnna Crago led all scorers with 16 points. She added 10 rebounds for another double-double and also tallied two blocks, two steals and two assists. Parris Kernich wasn't far behind, scoring 14 points for her third double digit effort in four games.

"It's a nice balance to have. Hopefully, we can continue that as the season goes on here," Reitz said about Crago and Kernich. "Parris has been playing much better for us as a big."

Jenna Reitz hit three three-pointers for nine points and also totaled four rebounds, two steals and two assists.